In this episode of Spill the Ink, Michelle Calcote King talks with Michael Rafalowich, Managing Editor and Head of Research at Benchmark Litigation, the leading intelligence platform dedicated to identifying and ranking top litigators and litigation firms across the U.S. and Canada. He shares what's new for the 2027 cycle, including expanded local market coverage and a newly built research team, and offers candid advice on what separates a strong submission from one that gets lost in the pile.

• What is Benchmark Litigation and what makes it unique

• What's new for the 2027 Benchmark Litigation cycle

• What law firms most commonly get wrong in submissions and interviews

• How interviews factor into the rankings process, and who should be in the room

• Why human judgment remains central to Benchmark's integrity, even as AI reshapes the legal industry

Michael Rafalowich is the Managing Editor and Head of Research at Benchmark Litigation, where he has been the driving editorial force behind the publication since its inception. A digital media professional and investigative journalist by background, Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Kean University, where he graduated magna cum laude. His expertise spans research, editorial, marketing communications and business development. Before his current role, he held research and editorial positions at Euromoney Institutional Investor. He is based in New York.

• Check out Benchmark Litigation

• Follow Benchmark Litigation on LinkedIn

• Connect with Michael Rafalowich on LinkedIn

• Say hello to Michelle Calcote King on LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by Reputation Ink.

Founded by Michelle Calcote King, Reputation Ink is a marketing and public relations agency that serves B2B professional services firms of all shapes and sizes across the United States, including corporate law firms and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms.

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